Discover: PNDLTN + CO
“I learned quickly that it takes much more than creating the pieces and that you are selling your dream as well as the product.”
Tell us about yourself! What’s your background and what do you do?
I have lived in Colorado my entire life, growing up mainly in the mountain town of Breckenridge. After a short stint in the Denver area for school and a "real job," I moved back to Breck to "take a break.” Within that time, I met my now-husband who moved there from Connecticut after college to also "take a year off after school to ski.” We accidentally stayed 12 years longer than anticipated. We moved to Denver and got married two and a half years ago. We now reside in the Berkeley neighborhood with our new puppy, Waylon.
I have continuously painted throughout the years but took a break from jewelry until we moved to Denver. I have always wanted to start my own brand and business but I was my own worst enemy and was too worried about what others thought. Thanks to my husband, he encouraged me, pushed me to move forward and to make something of it. So, here I am today! I think the most important part of what I do is I try and give back to causes that are near and dear to my heart, and sadly, at least one has effected 9 out of 10 people. For every item bought I donate a $1.00 to one of three causes: cancer research, suicide prevention or equal rights. The consumer gets to choose which with every purchase.
How did you learn your craft? Tell us about your first finished product.
Growing up I was fortunate enough to have two parents who encouraged my creativity. From the age of 5 to 22, I took every art class, photography class and jewelry class in school that they would allow. I would even go to a random pottery class at CMC in Breckenridge with my mom at nights when I was in elementary school. I really started to evolve into jewelry and painting with acrylics when I was 16. I would even go to Red Rocks and sell both in the parking lots before shows. That's when I learned quickly that it takes much more than creating the pieces and that you are selling your dream as well as the product. My style has greatly evolved since then and now realize that quality is extremely important. For jewelry I do use some plated items to try and keep prices reasonable but, anything that touches the skin is gold or silver. I am allergic to cheaper metals so I make sure everything I make is hypoallergenic.
“From the age of 5 to 22, I took every art class, photography class and jewelry class in school that they would allow.”
Where does the name of your business come from?
My father passed away from a rare form of brain cancer and I have always wanted to carry on his name and raise money in his name. My maiden name is Pendleton in efforts to not get mixed up with Pendleton blankets I decided to take out the vowels. I also think it looks pretty cool.
How long does it take to make your product and what’s involved in the process?
It all depends on the product and materials I am working with at the time, but here is a basic run down. The item that hands down takes the most time is a hand painted jean jacket. There is a lot of color planning, layering, drying, setting and doing it all over again involved. A jean jacket can take anywhere from 2 to 3 days with drying times. Next I would say is sourcing stones, hunting down vintage items and broken records to up cycle. It really is an endless scavenger hunt. Thirdly Cutting, beveling and sanding vinyl records is very time consuming but, well worth the finished product. I also hand hammer and shape every piece of metal that stones are set into. I do however think I could make leather tassel earrings in my sleep at this point. I can whip through a dozen fairly quickly.
Where does your inspiration come from?
I am obsessed with the 60's and 70's and I always have been. Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong time. For a frame of reference, most girls were listening to the Backstreet Boys and I was listening to the Beatles and Fleetwood Mac. To be honest, a lot of jewelry comes together as I am creating it and if I like something I make more of it. As for painting, I really like color blocking, lines and experimenting with landscapes. I love the fact that no two will ever be the same. I also really try and be as eco-friendly as possible. I try and avoid plastics unless I am up-cycling it like the vinyl record earrings or if it's from something vintage I find.
What’s your favorite product that you’ve created?
That's a tough one. I think my favorites at the time are the up-cycled vinyl record earrings.
What question do you get asked the most at pop-up markets?
“What charities do you donate to?” (see below for the answer!)
What’s something unique about you that most people don’t know (or wouldn’t guess)?
I am a closet Justin Bieber fan.
What’s your favorite beverage to sip on?
A nice glass of red wine.
What’s up next for PNDLTN + CO?
I am excited to be in a place where I have recently been able to expand into wholesale and hopefully able to donate more money and raise more awareness of these causes.
Why did you pick these three causes and what charities do you donate to?
I have picked these three causes because I have been personally affected by all three and most everyone has been affected by at least one. I also wanted to give the consumer an option to donate to the one that is most important to them. I rotate charities from time to time depending on the event I am doing, but for the Gum Pop events, I will be donating to Project Semi-Colon (mental health/suicide prevention), GLSEN (equal rights/anti-bullying), and The Cancer Research Institute.
In April, receive 10% - 50% OFF all online orders!
